Coin bank slot structure



DeC- 2, 1952 F. w.,BowER COIN BANK SLOT STRUCTURE Filed April 14, 1950 IN VEN TOR. FEA/VK M( 50m/2.

Patented Dec. 2, 1952 UNITED STATES APATENT OFFICE COIN BANK SLOT STRUCTURE Frank W. Bower, Elkhart, Ind.

Application April 14, 1950, Serial No. 156,028

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in coin banks. y

The primary object of the invention is to provide a novel, simple, inexpensive, strong and attractive coin bank.

A further object is to providea coin bank comprising a base, an inverted cup-shaped body, and means for securing said parts together .detachably, wherein said securing means places the parts under tension to resist loose .play of the parts without necessitating provision of close tolerances between parts.

A further object is to provide a bank having a novel base structure adapted tomount an inverted cup-shaped body part, wherein said base structure mounts a liner interposed between said base and body part to cushion the same and to simultaneously hold said liner in extended position. y

A further object is to provide a coin bank having a body portion provided with a coin-receiving slot, the portion of said body around said slot having a layer of flexible cushioning material covering the'inner surface thereof, said cushioning material having a slot therein registering with said coin .slot and of zigzag shape to define lateral tabs normally spanning and closing said slot.

A further object lis to provide a coin bank comprising a base and inverted cup-shaped body, an elongated bolt extending centrally through said base and body, and a retainer carried by said bolt, wherein said base xedly mounts said bolt to retain the same in operative -relation thereto when said bank is opened.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side View of the device with parts broken away.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken von line 3--3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the top portion of a modification of the bank with parts 4broken away and illustrated in section.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view taken on Vline 5-5of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of .the invention, the numeral I0 designates a base, the numeral I2 an inverted cup-shaped body, I4 a connector for joining said parts, and IS a retainer carried by said connector and cooperating therewith to hold the parts assembled.

The base I0 is preferably formed of sheet metal having a substantially fiat horizontal platform portion I8 and a continuous depending marginal skirt portion or flange 20 to position the panel I8 spaced above a supporting surface. It will be understood that, while the base is preferably formed of sheet metal, stamped to form, it may bea metal casting or it may be molded from synthetic resin plastic material of any type found suitable. In the form illustrated the base panel I0 has a series of spaced openings 22 formed therein arranged centrally with respect to the base and equispaced from one another. Tabs 24 are struck up from the panel at these openings 22 and are located and arranged spaced from the margin or periphery of the panel or plate portion I8 for purposes to be described. The plate portion I8 also is provided with an elongated coin slot 26 formed therein and with .a central opening 28. At opposite sides of the central opening 28 are formed apertures 30 which outline tabs 32 struck downwardly and inwardly therefrom as illustrated in Fig. '5.

The inverted cup-shaped body I2 is preferably formed of glass or other transparent material of thick wall section to provide required strength. This body may comprise a conventional glass tumbler or drinking glass having substantially cylindrical side wall portions 34. and base 36. The base has a central opening 38 formed therein. The inner diameter .of the open lower end of the `circular wall lsection 34 of the body I2 is greater than the spacing between opposite tabs 24 struck up from the base so that said body portion ts around said tabs and is positioned thereby and prevented from lateral dislocation relative to the base. y

The connector I4 preferably comprises an elongated sha-nk member or shaft having van enlarged head 40 at one end, here shown as the lower end. The shank I4 extends 'through the opening 2 8 in the base and the opening 38 in the body. The tabs 3,2 are bent around the head 4 0 and serve to assemble the connector I4 with the `*base so that when the bank is opened by removal of the body I2 from the base, the connector I4 is not released but is held in operative position projecting substantially,perpendicularly from the base. The shank I4 has a transverse aperture .42 .extending therethrough at its upper or free end.

The retainer I.,6 is here illustrated as of substantially a ring Ishape having a base plate portion 444 provided `with a central aperture 46 fitting freely around the shank I4. `The-retainer i6 is adapted to be held inoperative position by any 4suitable lock, for example, by the hasp'portion 48 of a padlock 50. In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. l, a shallow inverted cupshaped member having a at base panel 52 and a marginal frusto conical depending skirt portion 54 is interposed between the base portion 36 of the body I2 and the base plate portion 44 of the retainer I6. This arrangement provides a shallow cavity within which may be interposed a coil spring 56 preferably encircling the shank I4 and serving to take up any slack in the connectors between the parts. More specifically, the coil spring 56 in expanding tends to press the bottom edge of the body I2 against the base and to press the part 52 and the base 44 of the ring against the locking element 48. In this manner the parts may fit together with substantial tolerances but are prevented by the pressure exerted by the spring from rattling and from providing cracks or joint openings through which coins could escape.

It is desirable to provide a combined cushion and seal between the .base and the body portion to avoid damage thereto, to deaden sound, and to span the cut-outs 22, 26 and 30 formed within the base panel. Such a member is illustrated here at 60 and may comprise any material found suitable, such as fabric, felt, fiber sheet material, rubber sheeting or the like. The member 66 is preferably a disk of a diameter equal to the diameter of the free or open end of the body I2 which is engaged thereby. The sheet 66 is provided with a series of elongated openings 62 adapted to fit around the tabs 24 and is positioned by said tabs against displacement in its plane. The clamping of the margin of the disk 60 between the base I0 and the body portion I2 serves to prevent displacement of said disk out of its plane and also serves to extend or position the disk flat upon the base so that it will not crumple or wrinkle. The disk has a central 'opening tting around the shank I4 and also is provided with a, slit registering with the coin slot 26 of the base. This slit preferably will be of the shape and configuration best illustrated in Fig. 3. The main body portion 64 of this slit is of reversely curved or zigzag shape extending for a length substantially equal to the length of the lcoin slot 26 with the lateral displacement of the slit preferably greater than the width of the coin slot 26, as illustrated in Fig. 3 where the outline of the coin slot is shown in dotted lines. In other words, the slit provides alternate intertting tabs 66 each transversely spanning the coin slot but adapted to be displaced by an inward movement of a, coin through the coin slot. Downward movement of a, coin serves to press the tabs against the base, however, so as to form a, barrier to release of a coin. At the opposite ends of the reversely curved slot 64 may be formed U-shaped cuts defining tabs 68.

It will be apparent that any danger of wear, breakage or chipping of the parts due to contact of the glass body I2 with the base is prevented by the cushion 60. This cushion is clamped or gripped between the parts by the action of the coil spring 56. The cushion member 60 serves to damp or deaden noise of coins resting upon or moving about upon the base and, where the body is transparent and the cushion is of colored material, the cushion adds to the attractiveness of the appearance of the coin bank.

The bank is easily assembled by simply slipping the body over the shank I4 with its free margin positioned outwardly of the tabs 24. Thereupon the spring 56 is inserted over the shank, the inverted cup-shaped member 52, 54 is applied over the spring, the retainer I6 is applied, and the locking member is passed through the stem aperture 42, thus holding the parts assembled. When it is desired to insert a coin the bank is inverted or turned upon its side sufliciently to expose the coin slot 26 and the coin is passed through the slot. After the coin is once within the container, there is no danger that it will be released because the parts all fit together snugly so there is no gap or opening through which the coins may pass, and, additionally, the tabs 66 of the liner which span the coin slot serve to close or seal the same against release of coins therethrough. When it is desired to remove the contents of the bank, the lock member 48, 56 is released and the parts can be completely withdrawn or separated for full access to and easy removal of the contents.

It may be desirable in some instances for the purpose of improving the appearance of the bank and of reinforcing the same to provide a structure as illustrated in Fig. 4. Specifically, a reinforcing cap having a base panel 'I0 and a skirt '12, which parts are made of a size to t completely around the upper end of the body portion I2 and which may be formed of plastic, metal or any other suitable material, can be used in place of the inverted cup-shaped part 52, 54 shown in Fig. 1. The arrangement is such that there is no danger of chipping the upper margins of the glass body incident to handling thereof, and also the device has an attractive appearance due to its opaque top and bottom portions and its transparent side walls.

The use of the cushioning sheet 60 is not limited to structures of the exact construction shown herein. Thus such a sheet may be used in any bank having a coin slot, regardless of where that slot is located, and the sheet need not completely span the wall or portion in which the slot is formed. Thus, a portion of the sheet, around and spaced from the coin slot, may be secured to the inner surface of the slotted wall of the bank by mechanical fasteners or by cement or glue. In such cases, when the sheet is provided with the reversely curved or zigzag slit; in register with the coin slot, the advantages of the sheet in permitting insertion of coins and preventing removal of the coins as mentioned above are achieved.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that changes in the construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. A coin bank comprising a hollow container including a wall having a narrow elongated coin slot formed therein, a sheet of flexible material lining and secured to at least the portion of the inner surface of said wall around said slot, said sheet having a zigzag slit therein coinciding with said coin slot and dening alternate inter-fitting transverse tabs of a length greater than the width of said coin slot and spanning the same.

2. A coin bank comprising a hollow container including a wall having a narrow elongated coin slot formed therein, a sheet of flexible material lining and secured to at least the portion of the inner surface of said Wall around said slot, said sheet having a zig-zag slit therein substantially longitudinally coextensive with said slot and communicating therewith, and slits extending transversely of said rst slit at each end thereof and curved to define tabs, said zigzag slit defining alternate scallops at opposite sides thereof intertting to span and substantially close said coin slot.

FRANK W. BOWER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 326,757 Loeble Sept. 22, 1885 640,536 Cook Jan. 2, 1900 Number Numb er 

